During his 40 year career, Jean-Pierre Dutilleux has made thirty films, including a dozen in Amazonia, taken thousands of photographs and published six books.

Jean-Pierre Dutilleux rose to international prominence with his extraordinary academy Award-nominated documentary, “Raoni””, an uncompromising investigation of the complex issues surrounding the survival of the remaining indigeneous Indians of the Amazon Rainforest and indeed, of the Rainforest itself.

Shot on location and named for the forceful and savvy chief at its center, the film was narrated by Marlon Brando. The New York Times praised “Raoni” as a “sobering, sympathetic and technically expert documentary”. With the notoriety accorded him by the film, both in Brazil and abroad Raoni, the man, has become the prime spoke person for all of Brazil’s surviving Indians.

A native of Belgium, Dutilleux earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and Literature from Saint Hadelin College in Liege, and later studied law, languages and economics at the University of Louvain. During his college years, Dutilleux traveled throughout North and South America, awakening passion and developing respect for the native Indians. In 1972, he served as assistant to Cosras Gravas on the production “State of Siege” in Chile. Two years later, at the age of 23, Dutilleux completed his first film, a study of Indians of the Amazon.

In the years since, he has filmed and photographed more than 50 tribes world wide, produced a dozen films in the Amazon, sailed around the world, and documented countless unique adventures. Additionally, his work as a photojournalist has appeared in 100-plus magazines in dozens of countries.

Dutilleux pioneered a new genre of filmmaking – the rock drama – when, in 1984, he produced and directed “ the Rhythmatist” starring Steward Copeland. A mesmerizing portrait, the film is an extended music video with multiple levels of perception running parallel throughout (available on A&M Home Video).

One of his visits to the Amazon, Dutilleux was joined by noted rock musician Sting, who was able to experience firsthand the indigenous tribes of the fast disappearing jungle. Together they authored articles exposing the fate of the native Amazonians which, fortified by Dutilleux’s powerful photos, propelled the rainforest issues into the global spotlight.
Encouraged by response to the stories, the pair created The Rainforest Foundation to support the Indian’s fight for survival, launching an international campaign with a television spot starring Sting and produced and directed by Dutilleux.

Accompanied by Chief Raoni, they embarked on an ambitious world tour and, in only 60 days, established local foundation in 12 countries, raising awareness and funds to protect the rainforest. In six recently published books, Dutilleux recounts these adventures and share his remarkable photographs.